An Ariann Simms basket sparked an 8-0 Bulldog run that included scores by Jensis Coleman, Jasmine Middleton and KK White. The Vikings battled back and took an 11-10 lead on a DeDe McLane basket with 44 seconds left in the first quarter.

Simms responded with a 3-point basket to put the Bulldogs in front 13-11 at the end of the first quarter.

The respective defenses took over in the second quarter as the Vikings managed to score only six points while holding the Bulldogs to four points as the game was tied at 17-17 at the half.

A Christa Johnson basket off an offensive rebound 35 seconds into the third quarter gave Crestview a 19-17 lead.

The Vikings got back-to-back baskets from Quay McNabb and Makayla Evans to regain the lead at 21-19 with 6:43 left in the third quarter.

Less than 20 seconds later Simms nailed a 3-pointer to ignite a 12-0 Bulldog run and Crestview led the rest of the game.

The Bulldogs led 33-27 at the start of the fourth quarter. Twice in the final period the Vikings got to within three points of Crestview. Each time the Bulldogs responded pulled just far enough in front to keep the Vikings out of reach.

The Vikings battled until the final 20 seconds when Fort Walton Beach coach Holly McDaniel conceded defeat by instructing her team not to foul.

"I just don't even know what to say," Simms said. "I feel like I'm on cloud nine right now with my team.

"All those laps she (Combest) made us do and the defensive drills have paid off.”

Simms led all scorers with 19 points. White scored 13 and Coleman 10.

McNabb led the Vikings with 13 points. McLane joined her in double figures with 11.

"It (the win) feels amazing," Middleton said. "I can't even describe it. We had played them a bunch of times so we were really relaxed.

"Everybody came ready to play. Everybody did what they needed to do. They played defense and they played offense the whole time."

Randy Dickson is the Crestview News Bulletin’s sports editor. Email him at randyd@crestviewbulletin.com, tweet him @BigRandle, or call 682-6524.